Three Trenton men sentenced in connection with 2005 wave of violence

TRENTON — Three Trenton men were sentenced to state prison on Friday for their roles in a 2005 wave of violence that left three people dead.

Gangster Killer Bloods (GKB) members Anthony “Ace” Coleman, 28 and Curtis “Rabbit” Hawkins, 26, were both sentenced to state prison in connection with the murder of Kareem Washington, a rival Nine Trey Gangster, who was killed in a retaliation shooting because of his gang affiliation. Bruce “Black Magic” Duette, 32, was also sentenced to prison today for conspiring to commit a drive-by shooting during the same wave of violence.

Coleman was sentenced to 20 years in prison, including 17 years without the possibility of parole. Coleman pleaded guilty to a first-degree charge of aggravated manslaughter for the Ellsworth Avenue shooting that left 28-year-old Kareem Washington dead in the summer of 2005. Coleman fatally shot the 28-year-old in the neck in retaliation for prior shootings, including one on Passaic street that wounded three Gangster Killer Bloods.

Hawkins was sentenced to 15 years including 13 years of parole ineligibility after pleading guilty to first-degree conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Washington’s murder. Hawkins and another GKB member, Juan “Cherokee” Robinson were in a car with Coleman as he searched for a member of the Nine Trey Gangsters to kill when they spotted Washington. Coleman got out of the car and shot Washington dead. The Attorney general’s office said that Robinson is awaiting sentencing and faces 12 years in prison with over 10 years of parole ineligibility.

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Duette received a 20 year sentence that includes 17 years of parole ineligibility after pleading to first-degree conspiracy to commit murder for conspiring with other GKB’s to commit a drive-by shooting on July 27, 2005 against a group of unknown Crips members gathered on North Logan Avenue. The Attorney General’s office said Duette was in the process of getting a Thompson .45 caliber machine gun to carry out the shooting when other gang members opened fire on rival Crips, there was no evidence that anyone was hit.

“Gang violence doesn’t just impact gang members, it imperils all of us, our communities, and our families,” said Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa. “We will continue to do all within our power to dismantle New Jersey’s gang networks and secure lengthy prison sentences for those who terrorize our neighborhoods with senseless brutality and killing.”

The three Trenton men who were sentenced today were among 16 people indicted in “Operation Capital City” for their connection with the summer 2005 wave of violence between Gangster Killer Bloods and two rival Bloods sets, the Nine Trey Gangsters and Sex Money Murder that killed three people including Sharee Voorhees, an innocent 22-year-old bystander, who was caught in the crossfire.

On March 25, GKB leader Bernard “Petey Black” Green, 30, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter for ordering that gang members carry out the shooting that resulted in Voorhees’ death. Green also plead guilty to racketeering. He faces 36 years in prison including 22 years of parole ineligibility. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31.

One of the gunmen involved in shooting that killed Voorhees, Keith “Droop” Parker, 32 was sentenced to 15 years in prison including nearly 13 years of parole ineligibility on April 19. He pleaded guilty on March 4 to the first-degree attempted murder of Michael Cadlett. Parker was part of a group of GKB’s who shot an SUV, that turned out to be the wrong car, on Monmouth Street on August 28, 2005. The car was driven by Cadlett, who had five passengers. Cadlett was struck once in the stomach and another bullet traveled down the street hitting Voorhees in the chest as she sat on her porch.